Akash Events 2026 Proposal

Original Proposal Text

# **Akash Events 2026 Proposal** ## **Overview** As Akash continues to grow as the leading decentralized compute network for AI workloads, we are excited to present the planning proposal for our third annual Akash conference. Building on the energy and momentum of prior years, the Akash conference this year expands to a two-part program: a two-day in-person hackathon leading into a flagship conference in San Francisco on October 5, 2026. Key highlights for 2026 include: * A two-day, in-person Hackathon (October 3–4) run in partnership with an accomplished hackathon co-organizer, offering AKT prizes, compute credits, and free tickets to the Akash annual conference. * A full-day in-person conference (October 5) at the Conservatory at One Sansome, San Francisco. * Akash’s annual conference will be a ticketed event this year, with approximately 500 tickets offering a potential $20,000+ return to the pool this year. * Expanded media coverage to amplify reach across the AI and tech ecosystem. * Post-event happy hour with appetizers and drinks to close the day. The total community pool request is **$773,750**, comprising $619,000 in program budget plus a 25% volatility buffer to cover AKT price movement during liquidation. In addition, all ticket and sponsorship income generated by the keystone event will be applied in full to reduce the community's net cost. Overclock Labs retains no portion of this income — it is held on behalf of the community pool and returned alongside any unused funds. The full budget is requested upfront because this income is uncertain and committed costs (venue, production) must be funded regardless of whether it materializes. A full accounting of realized costs, offset income, and returned funds will be published by December 1, 2026. **All unused funds, including any remaining AKT after liquidation, will be returned to the community pool.** ## **Additional Events** To ensure maximum ROI and sustained momentum, we have allocated a flexible monthly budget dedicated to high-impact activities for the second half of 2026. This includes targeted sponsorships for leading AI developer events and co-hosting strategic hackathons that directly drive ecosystem growth. By proactively engaging with the developer community through these high-yield touchpoints, we secure Akash's position at the forefront of the open AI infrastructure movement. ## **Budget** The following is the estimated cost breakdown for both program components, including transportation and accommodations for the OCL team and up to five (5) community members. This also includes the funding request for H2 2026 events. **Hackathon Budget — $54,000** Expense Items Budget Hackathon Partner $25,000 Food $10,000 Beverage $5,000 Signage & Marketing Materials $2,000 Prizes $10,000 Security $2,000 Sub Total $54,000 **Akash Annual Conference Budget — $475,000** Expense Items Budget Venue & Operations (venue, insurance, security, labor) $65,000 Production & Technical (production company, fees, rentals, AV, lighting, livestreaming) $257,000 Catering & Hospitality (food, beverages, on-site experience) $37,000 Content Capture & Media (videography, photography, podcast & press coverage) $83,000 Brand & Attendee Experience (merchandise, on-site branding, décor) $33,000 Sub Total $475,000 **Additional Event Budget — $90,000** * $15,000 per month (remainder 2026) for third-party sponsorship opportunities and small scale events/hackathons. * Includes speaking opportunities, media placements, and associated logistics. * Individual sponsorship commitments over $15,000 will be surfaced via GitHub discussion prior to commitment. **Combined Budget Summary** Summary Amount Akash Hackathon (Oct 3–4, 2026) $54,000 Akash Annual Conference (Oct 5, 2026) $475,000 Monthly Events H2 2026 $90,000 Gross Program Budget $619,000 Volatility Buffer (25%)* $154,750 Total Community Pool Request $773,750 ****Volatility buffer methodology: A flat 25% buffer has been applied to this request to ensure adequate coverage during liquidation, as liquidations will be spread out across 90-120 days. All unused AKT will be returned to the community pool.*** **Total Anticipated Return Summary** Source Estimated Return Ticket Income Estimate $20,000 Sponsorship Estimate $50,000 Total Estimated Return $70,000 ## **Limited Market Impact & Transparent Reporting** Overclock Labs will custody the requested funds in a new, distinct wallet so that funds from any other source are not commingled.All funds will be liquidated and managed to minimize market impact. These funds will be handled with the same care and attention as all previous Community Funding Proposals, with liquidations done in a fashion that will not adversely affect the market. More details: {"title":"Akash Events 2026 Proposal","summary":"# **Akash Events 2026 Proposal**\n\n## **Overview**\n\nAs Akash continues to grow as the leading decentralized compute network for AI workloads, we are excited to present the planning proposal for our third annual Akash conference. Building on the energy and momentum of prior years, the Akash conference this year expands to a two-part program: a two-day in-person hackathon leading into a flagship conference in San Francisco on October 5, 2026.\n\nKey highlights for 2026 include:\n* A two-day, in-person Hackathon (October 3–4) run in partnership with an accomplished hackathon co-organizer, offering AKT prizes, compute credits, and free tickets to the Akash annual conference.\n* A full-day in-person conference (October 5) at the Conservatory at One Sansome, San Francisco.\n* Akash’s annual conference will be a ticketed event this year, with approximately 500 tickets offering a potential $20,000+ return to the pool this year.\n* Expanded media coverage to amplify reach across the AI and tech ecosystem.\n* Post-event happy hour with appetizers and drinks to close the day.\n\nThe total community pool request is **$773,750**, comprising $619,000 in program budget plus a 25% volatility buffer to cover AKT price movement during liquidation. \n\nIn addition, all ticket and sponsorship income generated by the keystone event will be applied in full to reduce the community's net cost. Overclock Labs retains no portion of this income — it is held on behalf of the community pool and returned alongside any unused funds. The full budget is requested upfront because this income is uncertain and committed costs (venue, production) must be funded regardless of whether it materializes. A full accounting of realized costs, offset income, and returned funds will be published by December 1, 2026.\n\n**All unused funds, including any remaining AKT after liquidation, will be returned to the community pool.**\n\n\n## **Additional Events**\n\nTo ensure maximum ROI and sustained momentum, we have allocated a flexible monthly budget dedicated to high-impact activities for the second half of 2026. This includes targeted sponsorships for leading AI developer events and co-hosting strategic hackathons that directly drive ecosystem growth. By proactively engaging with the developer community through these high-yield touchpoints, we secure Akash's position at the forefront of the open AI infrastructure movement.\n\n## **Budget**\n\nThe following is the estimated cost breakdown for both program components, including transportation and accommodations for the OCL team and up to five (5) community members. This also includes the funding request for H2 2026 events.\n\n**Hackathon Budget — $54,000**\n\n\n\n \n Expense Items\n \n Budget\n \n \n \n Hackathon Partner\n \n $25,000\n \n \n \n Food\n \n $10,000\n \n \n \n Beverage\n \n $5,000\n \n \n \n Signage & Marketing Materials\n \n $2,000\n \n \n \n Prizes\n \n $10,000\n \n \n \n Security\n \n $2,000\n \n \n \n Sub Total\n \n $54,000\n \n \n\n\n\n**Akash Annual Conference Budget — $475,000**\n\n\n\n \n Expense Items\n \n Budget\n \n \n \n Venue & Operations (venue, insurance, security, labor)\n \n $65,000\n \n \n \n Production & Technical (production company, fees, rentals, AV, lighting, livestreaming)\n \n $257,000\n \n \n \n Catering & Hospitality (food, beverages, on-site experience)\n \n $37,000\n \n \n \n Content Capture & Media (videography, photography, podcast & press coverage)\n \n $83,000\n \n \n \n Brand & Attendee Experience (merchandise, on-site branding, décor)\n \n $33,000\n \n \n \n Sub Total\n \n $475,000\n \n \n\n\n\n**Additional Event Budget — $90,000**\n\n\n\n* $15,000 per month (remainder 2026) for third-party sponsorship opportunities and small scale events/hackathons.\n* Includes speaking opportunities, media placements, and associated logistics.\n* Individual sponsorship commitments over $15,000 will be surfaced via GitHub discussion prior to commitment.\n\n**Combined Budget Summary**\n\n\n\n \n Summary\n \n Amount\n \n \n \n Akash Hackathon (Oct 3–4, 2026)\n \n $54,000\n \n \n \n Akash Annual Conference (Oct 5, 2026)\n \n $475,000\n \n \n \n Monthly Events H2 2026\n \n $90,000\n \n \n \n Gross Program Budget\n \n $619,000\n \n \n \n Volatility Buffer (25%)*\n \n $154,750\n \n \n \n Total Community Pool Request\n \n $773,750\n \n \n\n\n\n****Volatility buffer methodology: A flat 25% buffer has been applied to this request to ensure adequate coverage during liquidation, as liquidations will be spread out across 90-120 days. All unused AKT will be returned to the community pool.***\n\n**Total Anticipated Return Summary**\n\n\n\n \n Source\n \n Estimated Return\n \n \n \n Ticket Income Estimate\n \n $20,000\n \n \n \n Sponsorship Estimate\n \n $50,000\n \n \n \n Total Estimated Return\n \n $70,000\n \n \n\n\n\n## **Limited Market Impact & Transparent Reporting**\n\nOverclock Labs will custody the requested funds in a new, distinct wallet so that funds from any other source are not commingled.All funds will be liquidated and managed to minimize market impact. These funds will be handled with the same care and attention as all previous Community Funding Proposals, with liquidations done in a fashion that will not adversely affect the market. ","forum":"https://github.com/orgs/akash-network/discussions/1356","additional_link":"https://github.com/orgs/akash-network/discussions/1356"}